Page 12 of Hers to Claim

“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?” Mari asked to distract herself from her train of thought that threatened to go off the rails.

Pricilla considered for a moment. “I should move in, at least temporarily. As we’re adjusting the wards you might need support at odd hours.”

“That won’t be a problem, we have lots of rooms no one is using.”

“I’ll pack my things and bring them by tomorrow after we sign the contracts.”

“We’re headed to La Petit Mort tomorrow night,” Mari said. “You’re welcome to come along.”

Pricilla waved a dismissive hand. “So very much not my scene.”

Cisco grinned. “We’ll protect you from the big bad wolves.”

Pricilla tilted her head back a tiny bit. She met Cisco’s eyes briefly before looking away again with a pink blush coloring her cheeks. “A tempting offer that I’ll consider another time.”

Mari enjoyed their flirtation more than she wanted to admit out loud. The predatory twinkle in Cisco’s gaze got her going every time, even when aimed at the other sex witch. She was finding out more about herself today than she’d known was there to find. She pretended to ignore their banter. “There’s something else we need to discuss about the wards.”

Pricilla raised an eyebrow and leaned forward. “Ooh, this sounds like it’s going to be good.”

Mari moistened her lips before continuing. She had decided that Pricilla needed to know everything before getting involved, but it was still hard to share the information, since she didn’t really understand what it meant. “I recently discovered that they were created to feed an entity that lives under Las Vegas.”

Pricilla’s eyes widened. “What sort of entity?”

“I’m not exactly sure. He looked like a demon, but he implied he is a demi-god. I think the reality is probably somewhere between the two.” She swallowed. “My father kept him trapped, apparently to protect himself and the other incubi from something very dangerous that was hunting them. Whatever it was atomized an incubus in an instant once he withdrew his protection. So part of what you’re going to help me figure out is if we can protect the city without him.”

Pricilla stared at her with an expression of horror. “He said he was going to stop protecting the city?”

Mari nodded. “He threatened it. I don’t know if it’s true or if he was trying to scare me. He seemed like he enjoyed frightening me.”

“Charming.” Pricilla grimaced. “Well, that’s a wrinkle I wasn’t expecting.”

Mari reached for the necklace at her throat, feeling the thorns sharp against her fingers. “He made this with his magic, out of a focus that Cisco gave me.” It seemed to hum at her touch. “I can’t take it off.”

“That’s a lot.” Pricilla sat back and whistled low. “But I’m still in. I’m not sure what that says about me.”

“That you like a little danger.” Cisco smiled, slow and hot. “Which I already knew.”

Pricilla shivered as she rose. “If that’s all? I’ll see you at the law witch tomorrow. I look forward to working together.”

“Thank you.” Mari smiled. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

All of them stood at the same time, and Rio gestured to the hallway. “I can show you to the door.”

Once they were alone Cisco reached for her hand and pulled her closer.

Mari looked up at him. “So do you want to talk about whatever that was going on between the two of you?”

Cisco ran a hand over her hair. “I’ve always had a weakness for bratty submissives.”

She pulled back a bit. “I’m not a submissive, am I?”

“You’re the only one who ever thought you were.” He laughed. “Noticed you didn’t ask if you were bratty.”

“But why do you want me to be with me if I’m not?”

He touched her cheek with the backs of his fingers. “Not sure where you got the idea that submission was required to be with me.”

“I guess I just assumed, because of Rio.”

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